Transcript Foundations of a (Biblically) Healthy, Well

Foundations of a (Biblically)
Healthy, Well-Balanced Church
A course of MATTHEW 25:34-40 Ministries
1060 Alexandria Drive, San Diego CA 92107
http://www.mt25v34-org
[email protected]
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Some Background to This Course
• The Church is people
• All people, including Saints, have a sin nature and, therefore, are prone to
error and ‘bad’ (worldly) behavior
– This applies to congregational leaders as well
– Local cultural influences and practices reflecting the traditions of men often
distract people from following Biblical principles
• Therefore, there are no perfect congregations
• Individual congregations have a calling from God
• Individual congregations reflect Christ to the extent of their spiritual
maturity, especially the leaders (which extends beyond those that govern)
• Biblical principles are needed to govern congregational activities at every
level
• Congregations that fully follow Biblical principles and reflect Christ in their
activities are healthy spiritually
• Not all spiritually healthy congregations are also Biblically well-balanced
(i.e., able to minister fully to all people from multiple cultures)
• The Bible provides principles for monitoring and correcting congregational
behavior, not merely individual behavior
• Congregations must be true to their calling and Biblically healthy
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Components of Biblical Health
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Focus on Christ
True Worship
Congregational Prayer
The Word (Bible
teaching & preaching)
Communion
Fellowship & In-reach
Local Outreach
Global Outreach
Opportunities to use
God-given gifts &
talents in Services of
love
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Focus on Christ
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True worship
Prayer continuously
Seeking the Mind of Christ in all decisions
Seeking the Heart of Christ in all service
Teaching the whole counsel of God, especially with
regard to the Gospel of Christ, the grace found in
Christ, the commandments and teachings of Christ, and
the true nature of Christ
• Abiding in Christ: “I am the true vine; if a man abides in
Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit for apart from
Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
• Living to glorify Christ in all things and to build His
kingdom.
• Developing disciples of Christ (especially leaders)
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True Worship
• All true Praise of God starts with Thanksgiving.
• All worship leads to obedience to the will of God.
• The connection from thanksgiving to obedience is
joyful celebration.
• Rejoice always, Pray without ceasing, and in
everything give thanks, for this is the will of God for
you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
• Worship is not merely singing songs out of a hymnal or
praise book.
• The purpose of worship services is to bring the
congregation’s hearts into a willingness to obey God’s
Word, His expressed will. Every component of a
worship service needs to contribute toward this goal.
Does your congregation celebrate true worship?
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Worship & Worship Services
• In Spirit & In Truth (John 4:24)
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Humbly
Reverently
Joyfully
Thankfully
Generously, giving glory & praise to God
Sacrificially
Prayerfully
Seeking fellowship with our Lord
Obediently
Willingly
Repentantly / with honest confession
Seeking to encourage & to edify others
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Worship in Application & Action
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In congregation
In solitude
At home
At work
At recreation
In service to the Lord
The ideal goal for each one of us is to
infuse worship throughout every part
of our lives.
If we are living joyfully, gratefully, &
full of hope in Christ in all parts of our
lives, we will have an excellent witness
& opportunities to share our faith with
others.
Healthy congregations help their members
fulfill this goal.
– Serving the needs of people within and outside the church
• The healthy church prepares each of its members to
worship in all of these ways
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Personal Worship
• A Christ-centered focus brings about continuous joyful, prayerful,
and thankful living day-by-day and independent of circumstances.
• Most people need help to worship
– Help to overcome false concepts of worship (focused on form rather
than substance)
– Hope fixed in eternity
• Hope is a key component of faith (Romans 5 & Hebrews 11:1) and faith comes
by hearing the Word of/about Christ (Romans 10:17)
• Affirmation of the Love of God in Christ Jesus for the believer
– Hope fixed in Christ in the midst of troubles (James 1:2-4)
– Victory of sin and worldly thinking
• Especially for chronic psychological and emotional conditions
• For liberation from addictions
– Help in fighting daily spiritual warfare
– Help in obeying the will of God: constant reminders of His
commandments presented with Grace and application of the Gospel
– Encouragement to believe God and the Bible as the authoritative
source of truth.
– Reminders that God is our Creator who loves us
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Pray!
Prayer is communication with God through
Christ Jesus.
Prayer is the life-giving sap from the vine to
the branches — most of prayer is listening
rather than talking.
(Refer to John 14:13-14; John 15:7; John 15:16.)
Everything Jesus did was initiated in prayer.
How much more so should we cover
everything we do in PRAYER?
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Prayer
• All things must begin, consist, and end in prayer (focus on our need
for Christ as in John 15:5)
• Personal prayer should be continuous and habitual among the
saints and obviously practiced among their families (1 Thess 5:17)
• Congregational prayer should be offered frequently throughout the
week.
– Regular prayer services are more important than regular Bible studies
(which are essential)
– Congregational prayer should be purposeful
– Prayer should be focused specifically
– It is often useful to have a listener to hear what God is saying
– Prayer should offer all participants equal opportunities
– The congregation should offer special times of prayer for special
purposes (e.g. commissioning missionaries, ordaining leaders,
governmental elections, crises within the congregation, etc.)
• Prayer is essential for fighting the spiritual warfare in which we are
all engaged. Congregational prayer is massing firepower against the
enemy.
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Prayer
• Offering praise and thanksgiving
• Communication with our Beloved Lord Jesus
• For Church leadership—boldness, wisdom, health, &
righteousness + specific needs
• For the needs of Church members (even self)
• For the Church as a Body—unity & boldness
• For the nation & governmental leaders—Godly wisdom,
fairness, & righteousness
• For Israel & the peace of Jerusalem
• For the community
• For those to whom we are ministering, especially for the
salvation of the unsaved
• For unsaved friends & family
• For each service of worship
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Prayer Practice Principles
• Prayer is communication with God (this is especially well
communicated in John 14 & 15)
– Communications are 2-way
– Communications should be in proportion to the information we hold
(God is omniscient, implying we should be mostly listening)
– Models and attitudes are provided by Christ in the Sermon on the
Mount and His prayer of John 17
• The attitude of prayer is more important than the substance
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(Since we often do not know how we should pray)
In humility
Willing to obey God
With quietness of heart
With readiness to hear what God has to say (direct/command)
Believing that He hears us (and cares for us)
• There are many different practices that are acceptable
• Knowledge of God’s Word, especially His character, His promises, &
His desires for us help us focus prayer more precisely.
Does your congregation have healthy group prayer?
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Prayer Discipleship
• Most people learn to pray by watching others
– They learn form rather than substance
– They practice religiously rather than communicating with Christ
– They do not know Biblical prayer principles
• Teach prayer, especially to youth and in confirmation classes
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The principles from the various prayer models in the Bible
How to tie Scripture to Prayer
Conforming our prayers to Scriptural principle
How to “be still” and listen to the Spirit
• Ensure that everybody gets opportunities to develop their prayer life
• It is essential to provide feedback about answered prayers
• It is also important to teach about how to maintain faith in prayer
even when the results are unreported, delayed, or perceived to be
adverse
– (a person was sick, the congregation prayed for their healing and they
died: for a Christian, death is the ultimate healing.)
– It is important to always maintain ties to the Biblical principles
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Bible Teaching
• Founded in preparation of prayer
– During study in preparation
– Prior to teaching, during teaching, after teaching
• Exposition of the Bible based on Biblical principles
of interpretation
• Proclaiming the Gospel and the application of
God’s grace
• Exhortation to discipleship, to moral excellence,
and to personal study
• Relevant to the needs of those to whom we
minister
• Promoting the joy of Bible study
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Biblical Teaching & Preaching
• All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man
of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy
3:16-17)
• Meditate on the Bible day and night – you will be successful (Joshua
1:8)
• “Go into all the world making disciples of all nations…teaching them
all I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19)
• “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” How
shall they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can
they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how
can they hear without someone preaching to them!... (Romans
10:13-15)
• The Bible emphasizes how greatly important it is to teach God’s
Word. The preparation for teaching and preaching is even more in
prayer than in Bible study (although the Bible study is essential).
Are general members of the congregation able to share their faith and Biblical
principles with others? Are the congregational leaders able Bible teachers?
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Suggested Prayer Points for Teaching
• Pray – that you can glorify the Lord in your service.
• Pray – for the people you are ministering to.
• Pray – that you may be used by God to be a blessing to the people you are
called to minister to.
• Pray to know the needs of the people in detail.
• Pray for God’s wisdom as you outline your service and select Scriptures to
address the needs.
• Meditate on God’s Word as you pray for the people – especially to see
how the Gospel is to be revealed in the application of Grace to life
circumstances. (Every work of service should declare the Gospel of Christ and
demonstrate the application of His grace – in word and/or in work.)
• Pray for the Lord to show you the application of the Scripture to the
people’s situations – consider how the love and grace that is in Christ
Jesus is depicted in the selected texts.
• Pray that you may be an instrument in the hands of the Lord.
• Pray that the Lord take all control.
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Some Essential Attitudes for Bible
Study and Teaching
• The Bible is inspired by God, inerrant in the original
languages and authoritative for all activities of men,
especially in the Church. (Man does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.)
• God, knowing the hearts of all who will be present, knows
the needs for the teaching to be presented.
• The people need to be enabled by both teaching & example
to enjoy studying the Bible for themselves (it is impossible
to cover every personal need in congregational teaching;
their personal study is needed).
• The ultimate Teacher is the Spirit, but the human
instrument needs to be enthusiastic in their preparation
and presentation.
• You must believe & practice what you preach/teach.
Is your congregation enthusiastic & self-motivated in Bible study? Do they know the Bible?
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Communion
For I received from the Lord that which I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which
He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is My
body which is broken for you, do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, the cup also after
supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant n My blood, do this, as often as you drink it, in
remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread or drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s
death until He comes (1 Cor 11:23-27).
• 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (& the Gospel citations) should be taught
periodically to provide context for the celebration.
• Are these familiar words to everybody in the congregation? Do
they understand the sacrament they celebrate? Do they have the
right attitude toward the Lord’s Supper? Is the sacrament too
familiar (celebrated ritualistically instead of reverentially)?
• Are new converts instructed in what the sacrament means?
• Some congregations celebrate the sacrament weekly, some monthly, some
have a special service weekly & a monthly or quarterly celebration for all
members. There are many different methods for serving the sacrament. The
underlying issue is this: do all members of the congregation know
the meaning & significance of the sacrament & do they carry the
correct attitude throughout the period between celebrations in
congregation?
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“In Remembrance of Me”
• The sacrament of Communion provides a tangible
remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ in our behalf.
• Remembering is not just recalling the fact; it is affirming the
relationship we have with Christ because of His sacrifice &
resulting in our desire to obey Him (an act of worship).
• A Communion service that is too religiously mechanical
does not instill a proper memory of Christ’s sacrifice.
• Many people do not participate in Communion in a way
that they live with daily reminders of Christ’s love
demonstrated on the Cross and His victory in His
resurrection. Yes, He died for us, but He lives (“…until He
comes”). He reigns with all power and authority and is
coming again in judgment.
• Communion should inspire grateful obedience to His will.
Is the congregational celebration of Communion accomplishing the Biblical goal?
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Personal Communion
• Do members of the congregation celebrate Personal
Communion (i.e., do they intentionally celebrate their
personal relationship with Christ) continuously?
• God’s design for marriage is a type for His intention for us
to live in relationship with Him. How strong are marriages
in the congregation?
• As in a marriage, the relationship must mature through
intentional development of intimacy. God is perfect in His
relationship toward us. Is the congregation developing their
relationship with Him?
• Are issues that hinder relationship growth being addressed
through Biblical instruction?
• Healthy congregations coordinate the Biblical teaching with
general counseling needs and “in-reach” to promote
personal communion growth.
Do the members each have a vibrant & growing personal relationship with Christ?
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Stages of Relationship with the Lord
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Sheep (He is the Good Shepard)
Slaves/Servants (Doulos) (He is the Master)
Subjects (He is the King)
Soldiers (He is the General)
Branches (He is the Vine; The Father is the
Vinedresser)
• Friends (He laid down His life for us)
• Bride (He is the Bridegroom)
• Sons/Heirs (Co-heirs with Christ) (He is the Father)
Each stage brings a new level of trust, commitment, and intimacy.
Where is the average member of your congregation?
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Christian Fellowship
• Let us consider how to stimulate each other to love and good deeds
and encourage each other in the LORD. (from Hebrews 10:24-25)
• Christian fellowship is not a bunch of people from the same
congregation enjoying each other’s company at a party or in a
sport. It is the purposeful attainment of the goal above: mutual
edification.
• Christian fellowship is the thoughtful response of our love for each
other.
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Caring for each other
Concern for each others needs
Desire for the spiritual growth and maturing of each other
Desiring for the development of the gifts and talents given by God
Desiring to give and receive help in walking in righteousness
Helping each other to grow in our calling in Christ
Responding to the needs of the congregation
Helping to grow the congregation materially, spiritually, and in ability
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In-Reach
• Every healthy congregation has effective “in-reach”
enabled by both excellent Christian fellowship and
counseling resources.
• In-reach is meeting the physical, emotional, and
spiritual needs of all of the congregational members.
• Excellent Christian fellowship provides the foundation
through Biblical sympathy and encouragement
• Excellent proclamation of the Word provides sound
counsel
• Congregational leaders should be excellent examples
for others and able to counsel from the Bible.
Is the congregational in-reach effective? Does it require leadership oversight?
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Growth in Christ
• Effective in-reach requires excellence in counsel:
– Prayerfully (the Spirit knows what is needed to move people out
of where they are “stuck”; we tend to make false assumptions)
– By “coming alongside” the counselee
– Wholly Christ-centered, focused on the grace of Christ
– Using Biblical techniques (not those taught by the world)
– Speaking the truth in love with gentleness & respect
– Usually, multiple elders should be involved, not just one
(multitude of counsel as all are in prayer)
– Do not despise doctors, medications, or professional counselors
– but trust in Christ, taking care not to trust in men. All healing is
only from God, but sometimes through people.
– Growth is a process, not something achieved in an instant.
– Effective counsel requires an investment in personal relationship
between counselors & counselee
• This is especially true of marriage counseling
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Local Outreach
• Healthy, well-balance congregations are Church planting organizations
always seeking to build Christ’s Kingdom.
• Local outreach is an expression of our love for our neighbors – concern for
everybody’s salvation and spiritual growth
• Local outreach requires every member of the congregation to be confident
in sharing their faith with people that they become acquainted with.
• Local outreach demonstrates Christ’s love and care for the local
community – it is not merely knocking on doors or proclaiming the Gospel
to everybody within earshot.
• By its nature, outreach means meeting people where they are at, both
physically and spiritually, and presenting the Gospel in a way that speaks
to them in their own cultural terms (not as a religious foreign language).
• It means the ability to answer the heart questions of others.
• Often, the opportunity is created by acts of service.
• Sometimes the opportunity can be the simple act of caring, “How may I
pray for you?”
• Without local outreach, the congregation becomes a closed club and
eventually dies as members die or move away.
Healthy congregations have individuals constantly witnessing to others as well as
opportunities for outreach as a group. Group outreach provides training for individuals.
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Some Outreach Ministries
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Rescue Missions & homeless ministries
Youth outreaches (sports, academic mentoring, movies, etc.)
Christian School Clubs & after-school clubs
Neighborhood outreaches (such as picnics, car washes, etc.)
Convalescent care facilities (visitations & worship services)
Jail & prison ministries (including Angel Tree)
Personal involvement
Support to the poor (home repair, clothing, etc.) in such outreaches helps
develop spiritual gifts
Feeding the hungry/food drives
& promote spiritual
Elderly visitations and support
growth
Workplace ministries
Dramas, plays, musical programs (especially for holidays)
Support to families, financial training, child care, etc.
Counter-addiction ministries
There are a multitude of possible needs to be met and ways of reaching friends,
neighbors, and co-workers. Works of service meeting needs are effective, but
the opportunity for witness/sharing the Gospel must be provided and planned.
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Discipleship Opportunities
• Local outreaches are important to discovering the gifts,
talents, & passions of members
• Gifts need to be stirred up & developed in a Biblical
manner
• Leadership attributes need to be developed in all
members (but to the extent they are able)
• Voluntary sacrifice is critically important
• Generosity with time & resources is necessary: teach
on the Biblical principles of giving of self (as Christ gave
of Himself)
• Encouragement is essential (do not to discourage
anyone nor anything that is potentially good)
• Remember Hebrews 10:24-25
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Global Outreach (Missions)
• Global outreach connects the local congregation to the rest
of the world-wide Body of Christ
– Needed for a healthy view of local culture
– Aids in overcoming self-centeredness
– Helps to realize how blessed we are
• Fulfilling the Great Commission (everybody’s work)
• Serving as Senders; participating with Goers
– Encouragement during preparation & commissioning with
prayer
– Prayer & communications (email, letters, etc.) &
encouragement; keeping the Mission before the congregation
on a regular basis
– Support financially & logistically (care packages supplying needs)
– Welcoming & debriefing upon return
• Short-term and long-term missions
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Missions (Building the Body of Christ)
• Long-term
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Bible translation projects
Church-planting in un-reached cultures
Medical missions
Educational missions
• Short-term
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Church support & evangelism
Bible delivery
Leadership development & pastor conferences
Missionary support
Medical & educational
Outreaches & crusades
• Radio, Television, & Internet Ministries
• Every mission involves discipleship
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Functional Service
• Functional service provides many key elements for the
congregation:
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Serving the needs of the congregation
Serving the needs of the local community (a form of outreach)
Development of individual gifts and talents
Opportunities to put teaching principles into practical service
Growing Christian fellowship within the congregation
Fulfilling the Biblical mandates for serving the Lord by serving
others summarized in MATTHEW 25:34-40
Opportunities to develop congregational leadership
Helping individuals to discover personal areas of ministry they
enjoy
Making the congregation fruitful
Making congregational members fruitful
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MATTHEW 25:34-40
• The mandate: fulfill the need (serving Christ through serving others).
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Feed the hungry,
Give drink to the thirsty,
Clothe the naked,
Greet the stranger,
Visit the sick and the imprisoned.
• Each of these elements has both physical & spiritual manifestations
• Spiritual needs are always met in Christ (through us, His servants)
• Physical needs must be met whenever possible, but never neglecting the
spiritual needs. (Meeting physical needs present opportunities for witness.)
• Never meet a need by being an ‘enabler’ (one who allows the person in
need to justify staying in his sin or self-pity) nor by forcing Bible verses upon
one who is not open.
• Be prepared for long-term commitment to service.
• Fulfill real needs, not wants or expressed “needs” (discernment by the Spirit
through prayer is needed for this).
• Not an option – see James 2.
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Bearing Fruit (IAW John 15)
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Glorify the Father (vs 8)
Prove to be disciples of Christ (vs 8)
Demonstrate the love of Christ for others (vs 9 & 10)
Be satisfied in your life & enabled to be joyful (vs 11)
Is your congregation bearing fruit?
Are all your members fruitful?
Do they have adequate opportunities?
Are they receiving adequate instruction?
See also Galatians 5, especially the manifestations of
the fruit of the Spirit
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Anything we do to serve Christ must
be with these attitudes:
• To serve the needs of others in love in order to glorify God.
― God is glorified when Christ is confessed and acknowledged
― Serving another’s needs creates opportunities to witness.
― Service without witness does not glorify God.
• The actual service is not the fruit; the manifestation of
Christ in us (and through us) is the fruit (as in Galatians 5)
• To serve our Lord in gratitude for the gifts and talents He
has given us.
– To stir up our gifts
– To develop confidence in sharing our faith
– As an opportunity to train up others in service
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Biblical Elements of Health Summary
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Focus on Christ
True Worship
Congregational Prayer
The Word (Bible teaching & preaching)
Communion
Fellowship & In-reach
Local Outreach
Global Outreach
Opportunities to use God-given gifts & talents in
Services of love – Functional Service
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Biblical Balance
• Able to minister fully to all people from multiple cultures:
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Both genders
Of all ages
Single or married (or ‘in a relationship’)
All income levels (destitute through wealthy)
Employed, unemployed, employer, retired, in school
All education levels
All ethnicities (even multiple languages, where needed)
• Each of these groups has common and distinct spiritual needs and brings
unique gifts, talents, and resources
• Every culture has some received form of Biblical truth and ethic
• Every culture distorts truth through human (sinful) traditions and errant
philosophies
• Every person needs Christ and Biblical truth and wisdom in order to
experience God’s purpose in life, satisfaction, fulfillment, peace, etc. (i.e.,
the presentation & modeling the application of the Gospel in a way that
they see it through the eyes of their culture)
Biblical health is a prerequisite for Biblical balance.
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Why Biblical Balance?
(Isn’t Health Good Enough?)
• Biblical health promotes the spiritual growth of individuals
• Biblical balance promotes the growth of The Church (the Body of
Christ) (although not necessarily one congregation)
• Biblical health promotes the Church as salt & light in a society (a
preservative & preventative to greater corruption)
• Biblical balance promotes transformation of the society toward
Biblical values
• Biblical health brings blessing into The Church
• Biblical balance brings blessing to the society; God is glorified even
by non-believers.
• Biblical health defines wickedness and evil behavior
• Biblical balance delivers righteousness across cultures. (Promotes
Biblical equality, mutual respect, human rights, civil rights, and
deters crime through the Spirit of God rather than the failed efforts
of humanism.)
None of this can be accomplished separate from the Spirit of Christ!
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The John 17:21-23 Principle (Unity)
• Balance is achieved when all segments of a church (&
The Church, across congregations) is functioning in
unity and cooperation for the greater common good (in
accordance with God’s will).
• This requires intentional planning through prayer
• This requires the Mind of Christ guiding & the Spirit
empowering all ministerial leaders
• This requires the sharing of resources & opportunities
across all ministries, especially in discipleship
• …That the world may know the Father sent the Son,
and that [the Father loves those of The Church]…
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Balance Also Implies Balance Between:
• Speaking the Truth…in love (& with grace)
• Learning and doing (James 1:22)
• The message of grace & the (practical) application of
grace
• Suffering & healing
• Deliverance, evangelism, discipleship, & fellowship
• The old ways (comfortable) & the surprising new
(excitement & joyful discovery)
• Prayer, preaching, & practice
• In-reach, local outreach, & global outreach
• Discipline, justice, & mercy
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Diagnosing & Correcting Unhealthy
Conditions in the Congregation
• Leaders must be intentional and diligent to continually monitor the
spiritual health of the congregation
–
–
–
–
–
Especially for the propensity to trust self, not Christ
The falling into the traps of the local culture
Listening to the deceitfulness of the world
The adversities of spiritual warfare (and physical consequences)
The health of the Family of God
• Health of a congregation is different from that of individual
members. But, congregational health is the foundation upon which
individuals grow. Weak congregations lead to weak members; very
strong congregations promote the spiritual growth of members.
• Congregations respond to leadership, prayer, & group discipleship
• Individuals respond to teaching, counsel, fellowship, and in-reach
• The Bible provides some tools in the letters to the Churches in
Revelation 2 & 3
In each case, the ultimate solution is restoring the Focus on Christ in the right way.
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Revelations 1-3 Overview
•
•
•
•
Chapter 1 opens with Christ revealing Himself in a detailed vision (vs 12-20)
Each detail ties to prophesies of Christ in the Old Testament
Verse 20 actually explains the meaning of the vision
Chapters 2 & 3 contain 7 letters to 7 real churches that were under John’s
authority while he was in exile on Patmos, having real issues, which have
dominated different periods of the Church Age and still affect individual
congregations today.
• Each letter has the same basic form:
– The name of the city in which the church was located (the meaning is tied to the problem or
issue in that church as well as to Old Testament prophesy of authority/judgment of God)
– A title of Christ which is the solution to the problem, tied to Chapter 1 & OT
– A commendation (silent for Sardis and Laodicea)
– A criticism (gracefully absent for Smyrna and Philadelphia)
– An exhortation
– A promise to the Overcomer (interchanged in order with the closure following Pergamum)
– A closure: “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
• The issues may also affect different congregational members (but with
different consequences & more subject to counsel & influence of fellowship)
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Ephesus = Maiden of Choice, Darling
• Title of Christ: He that holds the 7 stars in His right
hand & who walks among the 7 golden lampstands –
i.e., the Head of the Church
• Commendation: good works, good labor, great
patience, good discernment of true representatives of
Christ versus liars
• Criticism: Left thy first love (i.e., Christ)
• Exhortation: Remember Christ and the joy of serving
Christ as at the first; continue hating evil heresy
• Promise to the Overcomer: eat of the Tree of Life,
which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
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Practical Ephesus
• Generally the 1st stage from losing focus on Christ; the
symptoms of goodness are still all in place. The joy of
service is waning and routine is starting to reign.
Obedience is driven by law rather than thankfulness to
Christ. Grace is diminished (in practice).
• Sometimes this is brought about by too much local
tradition or practices, replacing the heart of worship
with routine practice.
• Ensure that the Gospel is presented in each teaching or
preaching with application of the grace of Christ to
practical life situations.
• (Can be brought on by self-centered leaders)
• Doctrinal emphasis of Ephesians is useful – everything
is in relationship with Christ.
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Smyrna = Myrrh (Death)
• Title of Christ: The First & the Last, who was dead,
and has come to life
• Commendation: good works, enduring tribulation,
blasphemed by false religious leaders
• Criticism: N/A
• Exhortation: do not fear coming tribulation, be
faithful unto death – I will give you the crown of life
• Promise to the Overcomer: not hurt by the second
death
Note: this is the only Church that has been in continuous existence since the 1st century.
It is modern day Ishtar, Turkey.
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Practical Smyrna
• Characterizes a congregation aware of its presence in a hostile
culture (especially a hostile religious community). Fear (of lack of
acceptance or of adversity) may be present.
• Be careful that the fears do not prevent outreach and acts of
service to the community.
• Be careful that the fears to not create isolation or a fear to associate
with non-believers.
• Build congregational prayer, especially for the lost and local culture.
• Do not be afraid to undertake outreaches merely because funds do
not exist or because governmental approval may be needed. Pray.
Not only can God provide, but the answered prayer will encourage.
• Emphasis on the love of Christ for us as demonstrated in the Cross
is helpful. Build strong Communion.
• Exhortation to our hope in Christ (in contrast to hope in this world)
and our desire to be conformed to His image is needed.
• Doctrinal emphasis of Philippians is useful.
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Pergamum = Mixed Marriage
• Title of Christ: The One who has the sharp,
two-edged sword
• Commendation: holding fast to Christ even
where Satan dwells & in spite of martyrdom
• Criticism: allow false teachings & compromise
with the world
• Exhortation: repent, I am coming quickly to
make war (and to judge) the false teachers
• Promise to the Overcomer: obtain hidden
manna and a white stone with a new name
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Practical Pergamum
• Often characterized by a congregation that is successful in engaging local
culture and has political influence. The danger is that the political power
becomes an end in itself rather than a provision of God. This leads to
willingness to compromise (doctrinally) with the local culture in order to
maintain influence.
• It is important to be salt & light in the local culture and to be engaged with
the culture. This means that avoiding the false philosophies of the culture
is essential.
• Help the congregants by providing a Biblical perspective on cultural and
political issues. Encourage and equip members to vote and share their
faith with confidence and grace.
• Strong congregational prayer as a foundation to undertaking actions in the
culture is essential.
• Congregational leaders must be actively engaged in fellowship with
influential people in the congregation to ensure that the focus is always
Christ-ward and Biblical.
• Instruction in holiness is useful.
• Doctrines in 1 & 2 Corinthians are useful.
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Thyatira = Continual Sacrifice
• Title of Christ: The Son of God who has eyes like a
flame of fire and feet like burnished bronze
• Commendation: good deeds, love faith, endurance
• Criticism: tolerate arrogant God-opposed leaders &
false prophets (who have led people into acts of
immorality and idol worship – they will be judged)
• Exhortation: hold fast until I come
• Promise to the Overcomer: to you who keeps My
works to the end, I will give power over the nations;
you will rule with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the
potter are broken to pieces as I have received authority
from My Father, and I will give you the morning star
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Practical Thyatira
• This is a difficult condition since it involves the
corruption of the congregational leaders by their pride
and power.
• Often, these congregations are very legalistic (lots of
rules and regulations). The practice of grace is lacking.
• Usually, two or more congregational leaders (not
necessarily those in authority) need to stand on Biblical
principle and rebuke the leaders that have gone astray.
• Involvement of leadership in pastoral prayer groups is
useful (being careful to ensure that the fellowship is
dominated by prayer and concern for the health of the
Church and does not supplant actual prayer).
• The doctrines of Galatians are useful.
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Sardis = Remnant
• Title of Christ: He that has the 7 Spirits of God
• Commendation: N/A
• Criticism: you have a reputation for being alive,
but you are dead
• Exhortation: be watchful and strengthen what
remains lest it die. Remember how you have
received and heard and hold fast. I will come
unexpectedly (to judge).
• Promise to the Overcomer: you will be clothed in
white robes; your name will not be blotted out
from the book of life. I will confess your name
before the Father and His angels.
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Practical Sardis
• This type of church usually has a high reputation for excellence in
preaching and teaching. However, there is no practical service or
application of the teaching. There is little to no outreach.
• There can be a form academic snobbery and spiritual pride over
those “who have not our excellence of teaching”
• Congregational prayer that includes a focus on the needs of the
local culture and the salvation of unbelievers is needed.
• Involvement in workplace ministries is useful.
• Involvement of lay leaders in convalescent homes and jail/prison
ministries is useful.
• Intentional forms of outreach and services that are practical and
humbling (cleaning schools, weeding gardens, removing graffiti,
feeding homeless on the streets, etc.) are useful. There must be an
emphasis on demonstrations of Christ’s love rather than talk.
• The doctrines of Romans are useful (but must be taught with an
emphasis on correct relationships between us and God, between
believers, and with those in the world).
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Philadelphia = Brotherly Love
• Title of Christ: He who is holy & true, He who has the
Key of David (Who opens and shuts doors beyond the
ability of men)
• Commendation: kept Christ’s word, faithful to His
name & word, mighty with little.
• Criticism: N/A
• Exhortation: I will keep you from the hour of
temptation. Behold I come quickly; hold fast to what
you have so no man can take your crown.
• Promise to the Overcomer: I will make you a pillar in
the temple of My God, forever in His presence; I will
write upon you the name of my God and the name of
the city of my God (new Jerusalem), and a new name.
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Practical Philadelphia
• This church type has so much that is good. The church may
be small & lack resources or influence but there is much
good fellowship. There may be a fear to undertake global
outreach responsibilities.
• The church may become isolated from the local culture
unless it is very actively engaged in works of service to
people outside the Church. (There may be the exercise of
human brotherly love within the church that excludes the
neighbors.)
• Leadership needs to be watchful that the use of spiritual
gifts follow Biblical principles (rather than false traditions of
men).
• There is a frequent trap that members are not adequately
engaged in personal Bible study and prayer.
• The doctrines of 1 & 2 Thessalonians are useful.
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Laodicea = Rule of the People
(not acknowledging the Lordship of Christ)
• Title of Christ: The Amen, The Faithful & True
Witness, The Beginning of the Creation of God
• Commendation: N/A
• Criticism: lukewarm, self-satisfied but spiritually
destitute
• Exhortation: receive the discipline of the Lord,
repent, be zealous, seek fellowship of the Lord,
seek spiritual riches
• Promise to the Overcomer: I will grant to you sit
with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame,
and am set down with My Father in His throne.
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Practical Laodicea
• These churches are very disconnected from a focus on
Christ. Although fiscally healthy, they are uninterested in
outreach or missions unless it “adds to the club”.
Congregations are often relatively large.
• There is usually a lack of belief in the authority or truth
(and inerrancy) of the Bible, including God as Creator.
• Cultural “heresies” and “ear-tickling” is common.
• Ministry programs, such as “The Truth Project”, “Back to
Genesis” or similar apologetics, are important to getting
the congregation into the proper attitude towards the
authority of God as presented in the Bible as opposed to
the authority of man or cultural philosophies.
• Emphasis on the Great Commission and practical acts of
service by all members is important.
• The doctrines of Colossians are useful.
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Summary of the Letters
• In each case, the Church has forgotten to keep the focus on Christ
(at least in part) and has tried to achieve works in their own
strength separate from Christ (& contrary to John 15:5).
• Historically and by promise of judgment, they have (& will fail) to
attain these self-set goals.
• They are encouraged restore the focus on Christ.
• The Overcomer (one who truly trusts in Christ) will attain the goal in
the end, that the Church tried to achieve in its humanistic
corruption.
• Christ centered focus corrects the issue, supported by:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Humble leadership
Prayer (especially seeking God)
Biblical teaching/discipleship
Faithful service in the authority of Christ
Hope founded in the promises of Christ
The authority of the Lord ministered by the Spirit
Avoiding the traditions of men
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Overall Summary
• “It’s all about Jesus”
– Our focus must be on Christ individually & collectively
– The activities of congregation must support the growth of each
individual’s personal relationship with Christ
• The various key elements of health interact with each other
& must be worked holistically
• The Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) should be seen
as a personal responsibility of every person in the
congregation
• Leadership development in the laity is important; spiritual
growth of all in relationship with God is a priority.
• Congregational health is inter-linked with individual health
• Prayer, Discipleship (Bible teaching), & Outreach are
mutually supportive pillars
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Jesus is The Answer
If you know the Answer, do you need to know the question?
If you know the Answer, do you need to know the problem?
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LORD, I can’t,
but YOU can.
YOU take control.
Thank You, JESUS!
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